IIRC Perch was left to the Dutch. What happened to it, only the Dutch knows....

Quote from: P³D on June 12, 2007, 01:15:42 PM
IIRC Perch was left to the Dutch. What happened to it, only the Dutch knows....

What?

It seems your admiral forgot a prize to mention.

Or she just didn't make it that far and floundered.

That would have left wreakage, men, and a destroyer straight in the path of the Dutch Fleet.

May I suggest instead having the two ships simply dissapear (Keeling Triangle?)? Nothing changes IC and future historians get a nice mystery on their hands. (Cyclops, Flight 19, Earhart)

Official

The Dutch do not have Perch, and say they do not know about this ship.

France is very silent.... eerie silent even....

Thrawn:  "They say revenge is a dish best served cold, Foxy.  It is (not) very cold in the Indian Ocean."

Foxy:  "THRAWNNNNN!!!!"

The Confederate States of America strongly implores the Swiss to seek a more diplomatic solution in order to resolve the problems at hand. The detrimental effects on stability in the Pacific and the rest of the world are too great for this conflict to continue.

A swift end must be found, one way or another.

15 October 1907:  Phoenix

Synchronized footfalls alerted the Swiss lieutenant to approach visitors coming down the hallway.  As the door to the office opened, he sized them up:  two foreigners in white dress uniform, one of them - lean, impeccably clean shaven - carrying an envelope, the other - whiskered and portly - carrying two duffel bags.  As rank insignia was not clear, the lieutenant played it safe and saluted.

Returning the salute, the one man set the bags down, while the other extended the envelope to the lieutenant.  "Good morning.  I am Captain Federico Juarez of the Armada de Gran Colombia.  This is Chief Petty Officer Angel Armero.  We are here to present our credentials as observers attached to the New Swiss Navy for the duration of hostilities with the Netherlands."

The Swiss lieutenant took the envelope hesitantly.  "We weren't advised of observers, Sir", he said.  "I'll have to speak with my superior."

"Very well", Juarez replied.  The lieutenant disappeared through another doorway, leaving Juarez to remark, "He didn't even offer us coffee."

"You'll recall that lieutenants in general are careless, ignorant youngsters", Armero rumbled. 

"Careless, ignorant youngsters, sir", Juarez corrected him.  "Demonstrate due deference to my rank and stature, man, or I shall have you flogged."

Armero shrugged.  "Yes, of course, Sir", he said with disinterest. 

The Swiss lieutenant returned.  "Umm...okay, Sir.  We weren't expecting you, but your papers are in good order.  The Admiral has asked if you have a specific preference for assignments at sea."

"Capital ships", Juarez answered.  "We wish to see how yours and the Dutchmen conduct their lethal business."

"I'll arrange for a billet and some office space for you, Sir."



*Edited so that the date makes more sense...

1 November 1907

Quote
To:  The Exalted Office for Outside the Realm Affairs, Sultanate of Firanj
From:  Felipe Mendezavil, Consul-General, Republic of Gran Colombia

Dear Sir,

It is the understanding of my nation that detained vessels bearing passengers, cargo, and currency bound for Firanj remain in Swiss waters, due to a lack of agreement between New Switzerland and Firanj on the conditions in which the vessels may sortie.  Given the current war now raging around you, and the demonstrated risk of piracy in the region, it is our view that your ships would be vulnerable to attack if they were to steam alone.

As a peaceful nation which promotes international cooperation and remains neutral in the current conflict, Gran Colombia offers assistance in the form of an escort for these vessels.  This would provide an opportunity for Firanj to regain what belongs to it, without having to accede to demands of the Swiss government. 

Given that our forces are on the other side of the Pacific, we would require approximately sixty days after your possible agreement in order to have our vessels on station at the appropriate Swiss port for initiation of the operation.

Respectfully, Etc. & Etc....

(Hmm Rocky things might just be a little hotter by the time those last two events come about...)


18 October 1907
Diplomatic Note delivered to the USofNS Embassy in Neue Brandenburg
18:00 hours (Port Moresby Time)

"Whereas the United States of New Switzerland has acted agressively regardless of the consequences, has threatened the stability of the Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions, and has violated the conventions so recently signed by its accredited diplomats, the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg and the Habsburg Empire hereby call on New Switzerland to agree a ceasefire with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, pending a peace agreement suitable to all parties.

Failure to achieve the above within thirty-six hours of the time on this message will be considered casus belli, with automatic effect.

WILHELM II, by the Grace of God Emperor of Germany, King of Brandenburg, etc.
STEFAN, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, etc."

*********

Notice to Mariners
Brandenburg Navigational Authority
18 October 1907

Effective 20 October 1907 ports of the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg will be CLOSED to New Swiss flagged vessels indefinitly. There are to be no exceptions to this rule except for medical emergencies.

(At the same time, the 'neutrality declaration' that placed restrictions on Dutch shipping is quietly withdrawn...)

**********

18 October
TOP SECRET dispatch, heavily encoded, from OKW to All Stations
(Sent via telegraph, NOT over the airwaves)

WAR WARNING...WAR WARNING...WAR WARNING

THIS MESSAGE IS TO BE CONSIDERED A WAR WARNING. HOSTILITIES WITH CRIMSON ARE CONSIDERED IMMINENT.

IF NO FURTHER MESSAGES RECEIVED BEFORE 20/0600 PORT MORESBY TIME EXECUTE WAR PLAN CRIMSON TIDE RPT EXECUTE WAR PLAN CRIMSON TIDE 20/0600 PMT.

FORCES IN ZAMBIA ARE TO MAINTAIN INCREASED READINESS BUT OTHERWISE REMAIN AT PEACETIME STATUS.

WAR PLAN SCARLET IS TO BE READIED BUT NOT EXECUTED AT THIS TIME.

MAY GOD BE WITH YOU. GOOD LUCK AND GOOD HUNTING.

MOLTKE
LETTERS
NICOLAI

Quote(Hmm Rocky things might just be a little hotter by the time those last two events come about...)

That may be - we'll see. 

Umm so how do we deal with the negotiations? If the negotiations are November 1st then it means that the DKB did declare war since no Cease Fire untill then, which means that the DKB are present? Situation getting confusing.

(Hmm that could be a problem. However these moves are based on an Abwehr intelligence report dated 15 October, and a decision to move as quickly as possible from there to seize the opportunity the report described...)

(assuming the Iberian-mediated talks marked the failure of diplomacy here....)

At ~0500 Port Moresby Time, 20 October, 1907, the following message is sent to all Markoni-equipped ships and shore stations of the Deutsches Kaiserreich Brandenburg.




AUFSTIEG MOUNT WILHELM